High Sierra Topix

Hi CasinovaRock23,

Welcome to HST! Last mosquito update to the vicinity is 4 posts above yours.
You may be interested in reading this: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=7828" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Have fun and
be safe! Write up a TR when you get back, would enjoy reading about your adventure.

Overnight Backpack to 3rd Tyee lake (10,800') and dayhike up around Table Mountain. Very windy conditions so mostly a 0, but when the wind died for a while at the 3rd lake it was about a 2 at the lake shore. While hiking in, I was warned by someone hiking out that the 4th lake had "swarms" of mosquitos so I made camp in an pretty dry and wind exposed spot at the third lake and was mosquito free. Table mountain was beautiful with a surpising amount of water and green meadows, but with the wind I didn't see any bugs.

At this point it's mostly just some hot spots that are bad. The last 3 lakes I camped at only had a few. But a few meadow areas you can get a good swarm. The better times are ahead out here!

Hiked and camped these areas from July 15-19. Minimal mosquitoes and none biting at all. Heard reports that there were many (a "4") on the trail from Glen Aulin to May Lake. trip report to follow.

7/16- Onion Valley TH- light breeze despite warm temps kept the bugs at a 1. One or two bites at the most. Got chilly once the sun went down.
7/17- Hiked up Kearsarge Pass Trail up to Flower and Matlock Lakes. Bugs were 0 at Gilbert and Flower, thanks to light breeze, then they picked up to about a 2 at Matlock Lake near the inlet where we filtered water. No swarms but had a handful of bites. That night back at Onion Valley camp, they were a 1.
7/18- Hiked up Bishop Pass Trail up to Long Lake. No mosquitos but lots of flies (I think the biting kind) near the lake. Otherwise on the trail by the lake it was a 0. Slight breeze. Then hiked over to Bullfrog and Chocolate Lakes. Maybe a 1, it was getting late in the day and breeze died down. Back at camp (Mtn Glen on S Fork Bishop Creek) it was a 2+. Even the citronella candle didn't keep the mosquitos at bay. I had several land on my face, got bit a few times, drove us into our tent early. No breeze at this time.
On both hikes I was wearing Herbal Armour and it seemed to keep the skeeters at bay. I consider myself lucky with the mild breeze I had all week.

07/11 - 07/12: Emgirant Wilderness from Sonora Pass - High Emigrant Lake - Kennedy Meadows: Very few mosquitos on the trail (0), evening and morning about a 1 - 2 around the lakes and meadows.

07/13 - 07/16: Devils Postpile - Superior Lake - Garnet & 1,000 Island - Lake Catherine: 0 coming out of Devils Postpile t/h, 1-2 at the inlet stream and meadow leading into Superior Lake, 0 on the passes to Garnet and 1,000 Island Lake, 0 on North Glacier Pass. Surprisingly I think there has been a recent hatch in the boulders surrounding Lake Catherine, they were a 3 when the wind died down in the late afternoon and in the morning. 0 around 1,000 island lake and a few spots of 1-2 in the immediate areas near the small creeks along the PCT to Agnew Meadows.

The wildflowers are blooming and the bugs are finally settling down.

Great Western Divide over Sawtooth Pass July 13>21. During most of day, few mosquitoes in the vast majority of landscapes that at this time are rather dry. Near areas of seeps, streams, and lush vegetation there were a few mosquitoes about though the dragonflies and damselflies have eaten most. Even in those lush wet areas during most of day, squeets seem to be hiding from their predators. During mid day can jump into streams and lakes then dry off on shores while rarely attracting any mosquitoes. Late in afternoon and evening on calm days the few mosquitoes will come out of hiding then explore in all terrain seeking warm bodies. However because we were wearing appropriate clothing only applied DEET 3 times over 9 days.

Mokelumne Wilderness
Granite Lake Trailhead (off hwy88)

Mosquitoes were present but very tolerable... the only place it was bad on this loop was at Black Rock Lake....I would give it a 2 or 2.5

The other leg of our group found Beebe to be very buggy but we didn't find it to be that way, we set up our bags on the granite so that may have been why. I was at Lake Kirkwood 7/12-7/16 and 7/19-7/21 and not bad at all. I slept out with no tent all 9 nights and only at Black Rock did the bugs really bother me.

South Lake to North Lake 7/16-7/21

Almost nonexistent anywhere along that trail. The only place that I camped and felt their presence in the 2-3 level was in upper Dusy Basin. None that I can remember of in Evolution Lake or Piute Creek JCT. There were some in the upper parts of Evolution basin around Wanda but easily walked through without too much fuss.

• Mono Creek on the 18th was a 1, with a few showing up when we stopped hiking. Some flies present.
• Second Recess was a 1-2, with them being more prevalent in the large meadow 2 miles up. I fished this area on the 20th and this was the only time I really felt them to be a bother.
• Lower Mills Creek Lake was a 1-2, with any breeze clearing them away. Some others in my party were more bothered than I at this spot.

Overall, very light with some annoying flies.